(a)

To consider the following notice of motion from Councillor Prowse:

“Recognising the Government’s devolution agenda and the likely move towards a structural re-organisation this Council is committed to a form of local government as close to people as possible.  With the North Devon economy is on its knees central government is planning to reduce local democracy by abolishing all County and District Councils in England, with a White Paper expected shortly.  A very recent economic study of the impact of Covid-19 across Devon underlines the radically different economic and social structures of the north and south of Devon.   Whilst the north has only around a third of the population of Devon it has two thirds of the worst affected areas.”

Motion “That this Council work with other stakeholders across Devon to draft and promote an alternative structure of local government that best reflects the needs of the differing communities and local economies in Devon.”

(b)

To consider the following notice of motion from Councillor Roome:

Cleaning the drains.

“The recent heavy rain has caused considerable misery and inconvenience to some residents in North Devon. It has been brought to the attention of NDC Councillors, when reporting blocked gully drains, that DCC have changed their cleaning programme to once every three years on minor roads, and some DCC officers have stated that the situation is completely unacceptable.  Secondly when a gully drain is cleaned, there is no apparent maintenance schedule in place to confirm the pipework leading from the gully to the sewer is clear. If the connecting pipe work is not maintained properly, surface water becomes a real problem in periods of heavy rain.  This situation is totally unacceptable, and “we request DCC review the maintenance programme of gully drains immediately, and work with District Council Members to identify areas that need more regular maintenance””.

(c)

To consider the following notice of motion from Councillor Worden:

Protecting the public’s say in the planning process

“This Council notes:

·         The publication by Government of the White Paper, ‘Planning for the Future’ on 6 August 2020, which set out proposals on reforms to the planning process for the future.

·         That the vast majority of planning applications are given the go ahead by local authority planning committees, with permission granted to around 9 out of 10 applications.

·         That research by the Local Government Association has said that there are existing planning permissions for more than one million homes that have not yet been started.

This Council is concerned that the proposals seek to:

1. Reduce or remove the right of residents to object to applications near them.

2. Grant automatic rights for developers to build on land identified as ‘for growth’.

3. Remove section 106 payments for infrastructure and their replacement with a national levy.

This Council Further Notes:

1. The Royal Institute for British Architects called the proposals ‘shameful and which will do almost nothing to guarantee delivery of affordable, well-designed and sustainable homes’. RIBA also said that proposals could lead to the next generation of slum housing.                          

2. Many of the reforms are opposed by the all-party Local Government Association, currently led by Conservative Councillors.

This Council Believes:

1.  1. That existing planning procedures, as currently administered by our own team in North Devon, allow for local democratic control over future development, and give local people a say in planning proposals that affect them.

2.  2. That proposals for automatic rights to build in ‘growth’ areas, and increased permitted development rights, risk unregulated growth and unsustainable communities.

3.  3. That local communities must be in the driving seat on shaping the future of their communities, and local determination of the planning framework and planning applications play an important part in this process.

4.  4.  That nothing must be done to reduce the number of affordables which are vital in a rural and low wage area such as North Devon.

This Council resolves to:

1.  1. Take part in the consultation in the planning proposals, and to make representations against the proposals as outlined in this motion.

2.   2. Write to our Member of Parliament, expressing the Council’s concerns and to circulate her reply to members.

3.   3. Highlight its concerns over these proposals with the public and local residents.” 

(d)

To consider the following notice of motion from Councillor Walker:

Council Pavement Parking

“Many people struggle when vehicles park either fully or partially on a pavement.  These especially include parents with children in pushchairs, wheelchair and mobility scooter users, visually impaired people and those with walking problems. In some places pavement parking causes no issue as the pavement is wide enough for people to pass safely and in some places where it is narrow it is preferable to park partly on the pavement to allow access for emergency vehicles.  The government currently has a consultation on pavement parking which Councils can respond to. “We ask that this council responds to the consultation stating they wish to control such parking and can issue fines for breaches.  The consultation can be found here” https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/managing-pavement-parking

RESOLVED that this Council work with other stakeholders across Devon to draft and promote an alternative structure of local government that best reflects the needs of the differing communities and local economies in Devon.

RESOLVED that it be requested that DCC review the maintenance programme of gully drains immediately and that South West Water review their drains in light of the recent flooding, and work with District Council Members to identify areas that need more regular maintenance; and that comparison information be requested from DCC regarding the savings that have been made following the reduction of maintenance and clearance of drains against the costs of the reactionary work required following flooding”.

RESOLVED:

(i)

the Council take part in the consultation in the planning proposals, and to make representations against the proposals as outlined in this motion;

(ii)

write to our Member of Parliament, expressing the Council’s concerns and to circulate her reply to Members; and

(iii)

highlight its concerns over these proposals with the public and local residents.

RESOLVED that we ask that this Council responds to the consultation on pavement parking stating they wish to control such parking and can issue fines for breaches.